welding protective equipment

[justjeff25]

I am just getting into welding. Just got my first job and I was wondering what you guys prefer and why, when it comes to gear. Helmet preference, sleeves, jackets, gloves, chaps. what do you recomend and why. Also what kind of stuff is out there to mark on metal with, besides soapstone.

[youngwelder_154]

I have seen people use markers of metal colors you can see, chalk well i guess thats the same thing as soap stone.

[stick man]

Gear

More of personal preference tha anything, but I prefer the old jackson style hoods with the flip fronts, as far as gloves cheapest I can buy sense they get burned up. execpt when Iam tig welding or dueing alot of layout I like to wear the tillman tig gloves. tillman also makes good quailty sleeves. hope that helps.

[FusionKing]

For years I have just used a plain old carpenters pencil to mark on aluminum with but at the last couple of factories I've worked at everyone has gone to sharpies. They look nicer and rubbing alchohol removes it well. Pencil is more permanent. I always used soapstone on steel unless blued...then a scratch-awl.

[FusionKing]

And also in my opinion nothing beats cowhide.....the more the beter IMO

[arc]

if you dont want to use soap stone there is another product called sliver streak but the stuff breaks really easy and can be hard to see on steel. for gloves i like cow hide or mecanix gloves for tig. like my speed glass helmet or my cheap $50 dollar for really dirty jobs.

[JimYoung]

I buy my gloves from National Welders (the blue ones)good insulation from heat and sparks, long sleeve cover-alls, a leather apron, 3M dust mask, and a speedglass helmet.. By far the best advice that I can give you is "Don't skimp on the autodarkening helmet" ... as a side tip, I have a florsecent light over my table ... if I hold it up to the light ... it goes dark which tells me its working, before I test it on an arc... :
oh, felt tip marker
Jim

[FusionKing]

Nice Peac0ck BTW

[JonnyTIG]

I don't use a speed lens, but my old Jackson large view with a gold filter plate is light weight and works well.
Gloves depend on the application. I work in a shop environment and have no need for leathers, unless I have to work in confinded space. Leather jackets are great for out-door pipe work, but can be hot for shop type work. A couple layers of cotton or wool and a set of coveralls will protect you from most burns and be a little lighter / cooler than full leathers.
A full face shield ( or flip-up on hood) is good protection from grinding.
Have addequate ventilation for welding, or supplied air so you can breath easy for years to come.

[justjeff25]

how do you guys keep from burning off your boot laces?

[JimYoung]

how do you guys keep from burning off your boot laces?

Heck Jeff, I can't bend down that far ...
Jim

[Fat-Fab.com]

how do you guys keep from burning off your boot laces?

laceless boots
As to leathers and sleves and the like I find that it is the job that governs how much protection I use. Flux-core on 1/2" plate all day and I put on all I can get. Tig welding an alum. tank and I just protect from the light.
As for marking on materials you'll find that you will use what ever you can get your hands on.


As an employer I expect you to allways have a tape mesure on you at all times. You can't build it if you don't know how big it is.


TJ

[wireburner]

I use horbart hood auto-darking ,cheap gloves when welding something dirty ,junk, black stailon leather-fire rest. jacket,mighty mig gloves , and homemade bennies,soap-stone,sharppies,paint-pens,leather shoe-strings,or stringless boots

[SkidSteerSteve]

Don't forget hearing protection!! I wear plugs when doing just about anything. I like my music and want to be able to hear it years from now. It's also crucial if you are doing overhead work. Hot slag rolling around your ear canal is not the best feeling in the world. SSS

[JonnyTIG]

On the note about hearing protection, A loud stereo with good tunes helps when you are wearing ear plugs.

jonny